EUROPEAN UNION SUMMONS KOSOVO AND SERBIA LEADERS FOR EMERGENCY TALKS
The European Union has summoned the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo for emergency talks to try to bring an end to a series of violent clashes near their border, fearing a return to open conflict. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that he would hold urgent meetings with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels today. It was unclear whether the two would meet face to face or hold separate talks with Borrell.
The 27-nation bloc has for years been leading talks aimed at reconciling the two foes but with little success. Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-99 conflict left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Belgrade has refused to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.
